Robert Roskell pocketwatch

[Crisca]

Hi,
I'm sorry if I'm addressing to the wrong FORUM, but I'm seek and tired of looking for information about this pocketwatch bought by my late husband.
It is signed Robert Roskell Liverpool, but it's serial only has four numbers 9558, with is difficult if not impossible to identify the date.
After some research I think this is one of many for Ottoman Empire, because of the engraved motives on the cover.

Can you please help?
Thank you!

 

[Steven Thornberry]

I have moved this inquiry to the European and Other Pocket Watches forum, where it will receive better replies.

 

[Dr. Jon]

Welcome to this forum.

Since this is the US National Assocaition we consider your watch "foreign" but this is a semantic classification we love all watches here and welcome you.

We have some very expert members here. If I am wrong they will correct me. I belevie your watch is a Swiss counterfeit of a well known ENglish watch.

English watches are usually in English cases, wihch have sets of hallmarks. These date teh case to the year it was tested for metal. You case has not hallmarks. This alone does not identify it as a fake. Many fine English watches were sent out to be cased in the destination country. The movement does not look to me to be a real Roskel

It has a very fine dial. This style was very popular in the Latin American trade so , since you are in Portugal, it may have been made to go to Brazil.

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

Hello Crisca,

I have put below the Roskell file, and I think you will find all you need to know about the company, plus the so-called Swiss Roskell´s. A name given to them by David Penney. Though your watch was made to deceive, it is still a nice antique watch, that in a way compliments the Roskell firm. They were one of the firms that exported watches to South America in large numbers.

Welcome,

Allan

 

[Crisca]

I have moved this inquiry to the European and Other Pocket Watches forum, where it will receive better replies.

Thank you Steven.

 

[Crisca]

Welcome to this forum.

Since this is the US National Assocaition we consider your watch "foreign" but this is a semantic classification we love all watches here and welcome you.

We have some very expert members here. If I am wrong they will correct me. I belevie your watch is a Swiss counterfeit of a well known ENglish watch.

English watches are usually in English cases, wihch have sets of hallmarks. These date teh case to the year it was tested for metal. You case has not hallmarks. This alone does not identify it as a fake. Many fine English watches were sent out to be cased in the destination country. The movement does not look to me to be a real Roskel

It has a very fine dial. This style was very popular in the Latin American trade so , since you are in Portugal, it may have been made to go to Brazil.

Many thanks for your reply, Jon

 

[Crisca]

Hello Crisca,

I have put below the Roskell file, and I think you will find all you need to know about the company, plus the so-called Swiss Roskell´s. A name given to them by David Penney. Though your watch was made to deceive, it is still a nice antique watch, that in a way compliments the Roskell firm. They were one of the firms that exported watches to South America in large numbers.

Welcome,

Allan

Many thanks for your reply!

 

[Crisca]

Many thanks for your reply!

Anyway how antique would you say it is?

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

A little more than 160 years. Though it is very hard indeed to put them with a single date.

Regards,

Allan.

 

[Roman U]

I wish you a good day
I own a beautiful gold pocket watch by Robert Roskell Liverpool.
Is there anyone who can tell me more about this watch? what is their value now?
The watch works, it works quite accurately.
Roman

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

Hello Roman U, Welcome to the NAWCC Board. Though your watch is signed for Robert Roskell. I have to tell you it was made in Switzerland. At the time your watch was made it was not illegal to put the names of famous watchmakers on their wears. Though it appears your watch has been well looked after, and in good condition. You can see the trademark of the firm in your last photograph, that is not always there. If you put Robert Roskell in the Forums Search, you will see many watches like yours that were not made in the UK. It may help to read the Roskell file below.

 

[Roman U]

Hello Roman U, Welcome to the NAWCC Board. Though your watch is signed for Robert Roskell. I have to tell you it was made in Switzerland. At the time your watch was made it was not illegal to put the names of famous watchmakers on their wears. Though it appears your watch has been well looked after, and in good condition. You can see the trademark of the firm in your last photograph, that is not always there. If you put Robert Roskell in the Forums Search, you will see many watches like yours that were not made in the UK. It may help to read the Roskell file below.

Dear Allan
Thank you for your reply. I'm a little disappointed.
But even so, I believe watches are rare and expensive. How would you rate their price?

 

[Allan C. Purcell]

But, even so, I believe watches are rare and expensive. How would you rate their price?

The gold price will determine the price of your watch with maybe a few dollars more for its good condition.

Good Luck,

Allan.

 

[Roman U]

The gold price will determine the price of your watch with maybe a few dollars more for its good condition.

Good Luck,

Allan.

150 year old engraved watch and the price of metal?
That's what they would tell me in the backup.

 

[Dr. Jon]

The watch is a late Geneva style movement of fairly high quality and an early lever. It is circa 1850, late enough for the style of movement but too early for the later Swiss style lever escapement. Although a counterfeit it is and was a good quality watch.

the 18K has no legal significance and gold may be well under but the case maker did sign it (AB) so if it under its probably not by a lot.

Most watches of this type were of the less desirabel cylinder type so this was a good watch in its day. It is also thinner and thus more stylish than real Roskell watches of this time.

 

[Roman U]

The watch is a late Geneva style movement of fairly high quality and an early lever. It is circa 1850, late enough for the style of movement but too early for the later Swiss style lever escapement. Although a counterfeit it is and was a good quality watch.

the 18K has no legal significance and gold may be well under but the case maker did sign it (AB) so if it under its probably not by a lot.

Most watches of this type were of the less desirabel cylinder type so this was a good watch in its day. It is also thinner and thus more stylish than real Roskell watches of this time.

Thank you for you answer,,,
What could be the estimated price in euros?

 

[Dr. Jon]

Your watch is not that collectable so here is what the process is.

1) Separate the case and movement.
2) Weight the case
3) Test the case for purity
4) Compute the gold content, and pay ~60% of spot.

I have a model I use and I assumed a strong 14K gold case of a watch about 50mm diameter and I get about 1800 US$. Assumes and estimated weight of 1.5 troy Oz. gold with a small premium for it being watch case. A scrapper would probably pay about $1200, a negative premium.

 

[Roman U]

Your watch is not that collectable so here is what the process is.

1) Separate the case and movement.
2) Weight the case
3) Test the case for purity
4) Compute the gold content, and pay ~60% of spot.

I have a model I use and I assumed a strong 14K gold case of a watch about 50mm diameter and I get about 1800 US$. Assumes and estimated weight of 1.5 troy Oz. gold with a small premium for it being watch case. A scrapper would probably pay about $1200, a negative premium.

Dr.Jon
Thank you very much for your reply. I gave about 1400 euros for them. I don't know if it's a lot. But they are beautiful ,,,,

 

[Crisca]

I have moved this inquiry to the European and Other Pocket Watches forum, where it will receive better replies.

Now that I am well familiarized to this great forum of great people I leave here my regards to each one who helped so much!